The only negative thing I can say about P.D. James is that I must wait so long in between new novels! I love the depth of her characters. I love the psychological profiles she presents of each suspect, as well as the victim. I rarely ever really know "who dunnit." As a bookseller at a Borders store, I am often asked for recommendations, and I never hesitate to recommend P.D. James to mystery lovers. I have introduced many customers to British mysteries via James. Does anyone know when we can expect her next book?

I recently saw P.D. James' "Original Sin" on "Mystery", but was unable to tape it (long story, why not). Roy Marsden is simply superb as Dalgleish, and I'm yearning for more -- I now own "A Mind to Murder" and "Devices and Desires", and have ordered "A Certain Justice". Anyone know if there are any other P.D.James/Dalgleish/Marsden tapes available commercially?

Does anyone know the real island and castle on which P.D. James based the island and castle in The Skull Beneath the Skin? Her discriptions were so evocative that I believe it must be a real place. Is it?

The Professor of my "Murder, Mystery and Detection in British Literature" has been to London. She mentioned the same thing about the castle in "Skull Beneith the Skin" She has met P.D James who told her that the setting is completely fictional and doesn't really exist.

I am reading "Shroud for Nightingale" and am having a difficult time following the plot. The story itself is so dark and gloomy. It's almost like a Gothic novel. She describes everything in such minute detail. So much so, that I think, the plot really suffers. Maybe it's just me, but the plot of Shroud seems to crawl along at a snail's pace. Could someone who has a good understanding of "Shroud for Nightingale" give me a summary of characters, and how the characters and events fit together. We discussed this in class, but I'm still very confused. As I said, I'm having a lot of difficulty following the plot. So if someone could help me out, I really appreciate it. Thanks!

Dear Amazonchic -- Shroud... was the first James novel I read and, like you, I had problems with it: I did think it was 'overwritten', besides the revelation of the murderer's identity didn't come as a particular surprise... I find
James 's novels uneven. The Skull..., no matter what the critics thought of it, was very interesting in terms of atmosphere, setting & relations between the characters. Children... was unusual & memorable, though a dystopic fantasy rather than a crime novel. I really enjoyed Original Sin. I though that Innocent Blood had one of the most disappointing, contrived endings ever penned by a mystery queen.

I am a big fan of P.D. James, and have every one of her books.
By the way, did anyone here see the recent television broadcast of A CERTAIN JUSTICE on Mystery (on American PBS)? If so, how do you think it compared with the book? Myself, I found it to be very well done; and I can't wait to see the conclusion on Dec. 26th.